Friends of The Mattapoisett Bike Path Challenge Grant

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The Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path (the “Friends”) announced that they have received a commitment from a local donor to match dollar for dollar every donation (up to $25,000) made to the Friends after Monday, September 28, for the completion of the Marion Connector.

            “This generous matching commitment brings us much closer to our goal of fully funding this segment of the bike path so that it can be put out to bid in December,” said Bonne DeSousa, president of the Friends. “If we can raise the funds to fully utilize this match, we will have what we need. There has been a good deal of interest from prospective donors, and with the help of this matching grant, I am very hopeful that we will have good news to report well before December.”

            The “Marion Connector” is a half-mile bike and pedestrian path between the eastern end of Industrial Park Drive and the Marion Town line. (At the border, it will connect with a similar shared use path to be constructed in the future by the Town of Marion.) It provides a trailhead with handicapped-accessible parking and access to the woodland trails of Tinkham Forest and the Aucoot Woods area. When Marion’s Pathway project (which is funded and currently in permit review) is complete, walking, running, and cycling on a paved shared-use path will be available between Point Road in Marion, Route 105 in Marion, and Industrial Drive in Mattapoisett.

            The Friends is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization, so contributions to the Friends for the construction of the Marion Connector are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The Friends will apply 100 percent of contributions toward the construction of the Marion Connector.

            Pledges payable during 2020 or 2021 will count toward meeting the required funding.

            Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path, PO Box 1336, Mattapoisett, MA 02739. Contacts: Liz DiCarlo, 508-942-9343, lizdicarlo@comcast.net, and Bill Coquillette, 216-789-2303 wil-liam.coquillette@gmail.com. Website: mattapoisettrailtrail.org.

Green Screen Halloween

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Join us on Saturday, October 24 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library, 17 Constitution Way, Rochester, for another green screen photo opportunity to celebrate Halloween courtesy of Mrs. Voci, teacher, and supermom.

            Come in costume! You will have the choice of several Halloween themed backdrops and Halloween photo props. Thanks to Mrs. Voci photos are free and will be emailed to you directly. 

While waiting for your turn for photos, enjoy Halloween music by Jammin’ Jess and trick or treating!     A Trick or Treat Bag will be provided!   

            Please register for this event on our event calendar found on our website www.plumblibrary.com as soon as possible! Social distancing protocols will be in effect and masks are required. 

            This is an outdoor event weather permitting. Please check our Facebook page or call us at 508-763-8600 for weather updates.

Keeping Marion Affordable

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To the Editor;

            Keeping Marion Affordable

            People ask me why I sometimes say Marion is in financial trouble.  The answer is we are becoming increasingly unaffordable for many of our citizens.  Not only are our real estate taxes going up, but one only has to look at the sharp increases in our recent water and sewer bills to understand my concern.   Historically, Marion has resisted new growth and actively pursued land conservation.  There is a price to that.

            The Town has existing properties paying taxes, which are called the “tax base.”  New growth expands the tax base and thus raises new tax revenues in addition to the 2.% increase permitted Prop 2.5. 

            Marion has not been growth friendly.  Getting new projects approved takes years.  And, we have bylaws with technical requirements impossible to meet (Open Space Development District) or that are cost prohibitive (Inclusionary Housing).  

            It is worse.  We actually have been shrinking our tax base by conserving land through either temporary or permanent conservation restrictions.  These properties pay little or no taxes.

            The 2017 Master Plan reported the following land uses based on the Assessor Database: 37% residential, 3% commercial and industrial, 31% tax exempt (the Town, Town-owned conservation land, churches, land trusts, and schools), and 22% temporary protected land (Chapter 61, 61A, and 61B)

            These numbers tell us that 40% of Marion (37% residential and 3% commercial/industrial) essentially pays 100% of the cost of running the Town.  The report goes on to say that 4,477 acres or 49% of the Town’s total 9,105 acres is protected land of which 3,091 acres are permanently protected.  That’s a remarkable accomplishment, but can we afford to continue to conserve land and shrink our tax base?

            The Marion Open Space Acquisition Committee will have four articles on the Warrant at the Special Town Meeting on November 5 requesting citizens to approve putting a total of 43 acres under conservation easements.  Three of the articles are current land owners gifting the Town conservation restrictions on their land.  The fourth article provides for the Town to buy a conservation restriction on three parcels totaling 34 acres. The Town will lose tax revenue from all these parcels either from them being reduced in value or going off the tax rolls.

            The Town cannot stop private entities such as the Sippican Land Trust from taking properties off the tax roll using private funding.   Marion voters, however, need to decide whether MOSAC should be spending the Town’s money (Community Preservation funds) to take more land off the tax rolls further shrinking our tax base.  

John P. Waterman, Marion Resident and Selectman 

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

ConCom Cuts Corner so Charon Can Cut Down Decaying Tree

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            The Rochester Conservation Commission, in their meeting held on October 6, moved into unfamiliar territory when Rick Charon came before the commission to discuss the removal of a potentially hazardous tree growing on the border of a wetlands buffer zone.

            The tree in question is adjacent to a home that Charon is working to develop. Charon explained that the tree is showing clear signs of decay and is likely diseased. The strong winds coming from Snipatuit Pond that borders the property could be enough to cause the tree to fall onto the home, which features large portions of glass in its construction.

            As work on the development progressed, Charon’s fear surrounding the instability of the decaying tree has grown. With that in mind, he came before the commission in order to get permission to remove the tree and eliminate any risks it might pose to the home being constructed on the property.

            Charon presented his case to the commission in an informal matter. There was no formal application or Notice of Intent filed for the removal of the tree. Charon explained that the tree is only 4 feet into the buffer zone and that his proposal is to cut the tree and grind down the stump. “We tried everywhere else not to go into the buffer zone, but this tree is problematic and needs to be removed,” said Charon.

            Charon and the commission quickly agreed that the proposed work would have no impact on the bordering wetlands, and ultimately the removal of the tree would be in the best interest of the site.

            Although consensus on the matter was reached, there lack of formal application by Charon raised problems on how to proceed. Without any application to make an official application to pass a motion on, Chair of the Commission Michael Conway explained that Charon would need to file a Request for Determination of Applicability so the Conservation Commission can clearly and legally permit the work to go forward.

            Charon expressed his initial hope that the minor and insignificant nature of the work being done in relation to the site would be sufficient justification for the commission to allow the proposed work to go forward without a formal submittal process. Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon explained that there should be a form created to allow minor projects like this to go forward without the lengthy application process required for a Request for Determination of Applicability.

            According to Farinon, many other surrounding towns have developed similar procedures in order to reduce the number of minor projects coming before their commissions. Chair Conway agreed that a means to easily dismiss low impact proposals would be beneficial and suggested that the commission meet with the Rochester Board of Selectman to adopt such a plan.

            With a future plan in place, the fate of Charon’s tenuous tree remained undecided. Charon questioned whether there was anything the commission could do in this particular meeting to prevent him from having to go forward with an application. After Farinon consulted with Town Counsel Blair Bailey, she revealed that it may be possible for the commission to grant approval without the application.

            After discussion on the matter, Commission member Christopher Gerrior made a motion to allow the tree to be cut down. Gerrior’s justification for the motion was based in the potential safety risk posed by the flimsy tree. Member Kevin Thompson seconded the motion. Before voting, Conway explained that he would not vote in the affirmative as he was still not certain if the commission had the authority to allow the work to go forward without a proper application procedure.

            Despite Conway’s dissent, the commission voted in favor of the motion and allowed the work proposed by Charon to go forward. Charon expressed his thanks as he is now able to begin work on a project that could have been delayed to early November.

            The next Rochester Conservation Commission meeting is set to be held remotely over Zoom on October 20.

Rochester Conservation Commission

By Matthew Donato

Lynn A. Motta

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Lynn A. Motta, 62, of Mattapoisett passed away on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 after a period of declining health.

            She grew up in Glastonbury, CT with her late mother, Hilda (Braz) Harrop and father, William Harrop of Mattapoisett. She was the biological daughter of the late Edward Motta. Lynn adored her mother, Hilda.

            Despite her medical challenges, she spent her time caring for her father and taking joyrides with her boyfriend, Joe. She always loved scenic rides, enjoying the beauty her town had to offer.

            Lynn attended Mt. St. Joseph Academy in West Hartford, CT. She always loved to read, spend time with her friends, go out to eat (especially at the Courtyard in Fairhaven), and she was an active member of the AA community. She spent most of her earlier life doing secretarial work, and as she faced challenges with her health later in life, she spent a couple years helping care for her four-legged friend, Pax.

            She is survived by her son, Tyler Curtis and his girlfriend Amy Nahigyan of Fairhaven; her beloved grandson, Colin Curtis, whom she took great pride in; her boyfriend, Joseph Platinsky of Mattapoisett; and her step-mother, Edie Motta of Florida.

            Lynn will be remembered for her kind heart. Despite challenges that she faced, she always wanted to do better. Lynn will be missed very much by Joe, her family, and her friends.

            No funeral services are scheduled at this time. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride

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Two hundred sixty-five cyclists pedaled across Southeastern New England on Sunday to show their support for clean water during the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride, a scenic bicycling tour stretching from Little Compton, R.I. to New Bedford, Mass.

            Pedaling beneath sunny skies and moderate winds on a cool fall day, the cyclists recorded impressive fundraising and participation totals at the 14th annual Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride. The 291 registered participants, supported by 58 volunteers, raised $200,000 and counting for clean water.

            This annual event supports the Coalition’s work to ensure clean water in all Bay communities, restore and protect Bay ecosystems, and get people of all ages outside and engaged with their Buzzards Bay. Supporters can still donate to the Watershed Ride by going to savebuzzardsbay.org/ride.

            “Today is one of the most memorable Watershed Rides that we’ve hosted in the event’s 14 years. It may have been different from our traditional ride, given the changes we made for social distancing to keep everyone safe. But it was perfect—enthusiastic participation, a stunning route, and beautiful weather,” said Coalition President Mark Rasmussen. “This has been a challenging year for everyone, and as a community, I think we needed the kind of celebration of the Bay that we had today.” 

            This year’s ride differed from past events in that the Coalition offered a 62- and a 30-mile route, both of which ended at Fort Taber Park in New Bedford, rather than Woods Hole. In addition, a number of measures were adopted to facilitate social distancing, such as a rolling start and expanded water stop areas.

            The sun rose orange and pink on a cool autumn morning at Sakonnet Point in Little Compton, where 176 riders departed on the Watershed Ride’s 62-mile “metric century ride.” The route wound through Little Compton and Westport’s rich coastal farmland to the wave-washed coast along Horseneck Beach State Reservation, where another 89 riders began their 30-mile route.

            Along the way from Sakonnet Point to Fort Taber Park, riders pedaled past more than 2,500 acres of permanently protected woodlands, wetlands, salt marsh and beach habitat managed by the Coalition, local land trusts, and state and local municipalities. Among the reserves on the route is the Lyons Brook Reserve in Westport, a 55-acre property that the Coalition will formally open to the public while preserving its vital cold-water stream habitat and its connection to protecting water quality in the East Branch of the Westport River.

            The Watershed Ride drew cyclists of all ages and abilities from 102 communities in 11 states, some of whom rode the event as a virtual participant from as far away as Oregon. The oldest riders were Leonard and Patty Johnson of North Falmouth, both of whom are in their 80s. More than half of the riders participated as a member of one of 37 teams, made up of groups of friends and family who train, fundraise, and ride the course together.

            The top fundraisers were Chip Johns of Mattapoisett, who raised $10,462; Jeffrey Gonsalves of South Dartmouth who raised $4,310 and Ken Cheitlin of Pocasset, who raised $3,935.

            “The Watershed Ride is a great celebration of Buzzards Bay and a great way to stay fit,” Johns said while taking a well-deserved break for lunch at Fort Taber Park. “The ride is a great way to support the Coalition and the route offers amazing vistas of the Bay.”

            The top fundraising team this year was NaughtyxNature, which raised $22,500. With 19 members, the team was one of the largest participating in the Ride this year, despite the fact that this was the group’s first year of participation. Nearly all the riders were first-time participants in the Ride, too.  

            “This was an amazing day and event,” said Daniel Cooney, the captain of the NaughtyxNature team and a first-time Watershed Rider. “Many of us on the Naughty by Nature team grew up on the bay and it means everything to us. The Coalition is an incredible organization that gets stuff done, and we want to do our part to help protect and preserve the Bay.”

            The Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride is one of two signature outdoor fundraising events hosted by the Coalition. The other is the Buzzards Bay Swim, a 1.2-mile open-water swim across outer New Bedford Harbor. (This year’s swim was canceled due to the pandemic.) For more information, email events@savebuzzardsbay.org or call (508) 999-6363.

Photo Contest Winners

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The Rochester Historical Society/Rochester Land Trust Photo Contest winners have been announced.  Thank you to everyone who entered. In the Youth category: First place – Logan Perry; Second place – Eva Muldoon; Third place – Alia Cusolito. In the Adult category; First place – Linda Lapre; Second place – David Desroches; Third place – Virginia Dunn. To view all the entries, go to the Rochester Land Trust web site and click on Photo Contest 2020. Congratulations to the winners.

Academic Achievements

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Members of the Class of 2020 at Stonehill College joined together for a virtual Commencement ceremony this past August. Graduates included Allison Roberts of Marion, Gabrielle Reuter of Mattapoisett, Lauren Ovian of Rochester, and Zoe Smith of Rochester.

Bike Path Crosses Selectmen’s Desk

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            In Tuesday’s meeting at the Music Hall, the Marion Board of Selectmen was asked by Open Space Acquisition Committee Chairperson John Rockwell to sign off as owners of three properties to help facilitate progress on the town’s Bike Path project.

            Before pens would be put to paper, Selectman Norm Hills said the board was waiting to hear back from the Department of Public Works on the close proximity that he said two replication areas have with a cinder-block wall. The three areas are at Marion Fire Station, Point Road, and an easement granted from the East Marion Fire Station to an open lot before Joanne Drive.

            Noting that Town Meeting had approved funds for the bike path, Rockwell explained that the Marion Open Space Acquisition Committee (MOSAC), which owns adjacent property to the requests, filed a Notice of Intent with the Conservation Commission because it impacts wetlands.

            Rockwell told the selectmen cost estimations were made based on between 3,000 and 4,000 square feet of wetlands replication. Instead, it turns out there would be less impact on wetlands and more tree removal, clouding the picture of the cost of this piece of the project. Rockwell suggested a bidding process will reveal the cost, but MOSAC is limited in what it can spend. Hypothetically, he said, “Obviously, we can’t sign a contract for $280,000 if we’ve only got $230,000.”

            Town Administrator Jay McGrail offered to work with Rockwell on the bidding process.

            MOSAC is also applying for approval to the state Department of Environmental Protection.

            Hills said he would also like to know the plan to remedy the spot where poles and guidewires lie and hang in the middle of the path. Rockwell explained there is a technical fix to that applied by the utility company, calling it “a pretty common strategy in a more built-up environment.”

            The path, according to Rockwell, is 8 feet wide with 2 feet of shoulder on either side. The highest point to a drop-off is 20 inches.

            Selectman John Waterman suggested Marion take advantage of the benefit of having engineer Meghan Davis on the DPW staff and request her attendance at the next Board of Selectmen meeting to get her opinion and expertise.

            The matter was tabled and put on the next agenda.

            McGrail was to meet with the Finance Committee on Wednesday and post the warrant for the November 5 Special Town Meeting on Thursday, October 8. But first, he needed the selectmen to sign off on changes to five articles.

            The most significant of those changes was to Article 2, originally asking the town to supplement the Town House renovation (Article 9 of the 2013 Annual Town Meeting) with $30,276.04 in prior appropriations dating back to 2015, 2018, and 2019. Article 2 will now ask for appropriations totaling approximately $112,000 from other projects that McGrail told the selectmen were “all funded with free cash, projects were completed and funded.”

            Marion is looking for significant help from the Sippican Historical Society to finish the Town House renovation.

            In a 4:15 appointment, resident Chris McLean appeared before the selectmen to appeal a requirement that he give up Mooring No. 1031 in Marion harbor.

            “I’ve been a good resident of the town, taxpaying, everything you can. When this (float) goes away, I’m not going to replace it,” said McLean. “My basic thing is you tell me why it has to go away. The last meeting the decision was already made. We (were told that we) have to get rid of it at the end of the year. You guys tell me why I can’t keep the mooring. I don’t see a good enough argument to take it away when so many people enjoy it.”

            Harbormaster Isaac Perry said that there have been some grandfathered cases in the harbor, but all ownerships predate 1984. In McLean’s case, Perry said, “This is the end of the third year.” Perry noted that Marion receives “quite a few requests for these kind of swim floats,” that it was the consensus of the Marine Resource Commission that it does not fit in well with the state regulations and that there are over 150 people on a waiting list for a mooring.

            McLean said he knew of more recent contradictions to the rule. “There’s a whole bunch of ways to get around this. but I thought I’d come in here and be straight up,” he said. “I figured you guys could do the right thing and let me keep it, but if you’re going to do that … I could get a petition going with hundreds and hundreds of names.”

            “We’ll make a decision that we think is fair and correct,” said Waterman, who is also on a waiting list for a mooring that can accommodate a larger boat.

            Perry took issue with McLean’s current boat-ownership situation and indicated that in March an official appeals period kicks in.

            There was no vote by the selectmen.

            Marion resident Carol Lescarbeau delivered a scathing letter of the town’s handling of COVID-19 matters relating to the reopening of Sippican School, and she alluded in the letter to being bullied by an individual while seeking services for her special-needs daughter.

            During the Public Comment segment early in Tuesday’s Board of Selectmen meeting, she stated that some of the children playing outside at Sippican School were neither wearing facemasks nor keeping the prescribed 6-foot distance from one another.

            “There’s a lot more to this story than meets the eye,” she said, alluding to the Project Grow preschool program where she said she saw people “coughing and hacking.” She added that her own child is on a full-remote learning program.

            Chairperson Randy Parker said the board would take her complaints under advisement and that McGrail would respond on behalf of the town.

            As of Tuesday, Marion had 150 preregistered citizens for the drive-through Flu Clinic that will be held on Thursday, October 8, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Community Center. Those interested are asked to call the Community Center to sign up in advance of the clinic.

            McGrail said staff members went through the clinic last week as a dry run. “This is a huge undertaking for a small town,” he said, crediting Lt. (and future chief of police) Richard Nighelli for his leadership on the project. McGrail said there are nine certified nurses who have volunteered their assistant along with EMT’s.

            Marion received a $255,000 grant from the state’s Coastal Zone Management to fund a feasibility study for an upgrade to the Creek Road pumping station that sends sewer to the town’s main station. DPW Director David Willett is in the process of putting together a full RFP process against a June 30 deadline.

            The selectmen approved a request from Sippican Historical Society Executive Director Leslie Piper to hold a noontime march on Saturday, October 24, along Front Street in recognition of the date of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution prohibiting gender discrimination in election voting. The approval came with the condition that the society pay for the police detail and comply with all COVID-related protocols regarding crowd size, wearing of facemasks, and social distancing.

            Waterman recently submitted two letters to the editor of The Wanderer, and the selectmen and McGrail, citing Town Counsel’s approval, suggested he henceforth include his elected position with his signature on newspaper articles.

            The town’s contract with ORCTV will come up during the “tri-board” meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 22.

            In other business, the selectmen approved a holiday schedule that will see municipal buildings close for Thanksgiving on Wednesday, November 25, beginning at noon. They also approved the donation of an osprey pole and platform from Jeff Doubrava for Boat Yard Park.

            The next meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen was not yet scheduled.

Marion Board of Selectmen

By Mick Colageo

Walking Tours of Wharf Village, Marion

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Sippican Historical Society President Will Tifft will give a walking tour of the Wharf Village historic houses on Saturday, October 17 at 2:00 pm. The tour is free to members, $10 per person for non-members ($25 maximum for families). Lasting approximately an hour and 15 minutes, the tour is limited to 15 people in order to maintain physical distancing. You may register for the tour by contacting Leslie Piper at the SHS office: info@sippicanhistoricalsociety.org or 508-748-1116. Masks are required for participants.